BSA Motorcycles brings back the iconic Bantam moniker with the unveiling of the new Bantam 350 model recently in UK showrooms, quietly. While built on the same platform as the Jawa 42 FJ, this model stands out with its unique design. The Bantam 350 will likely roll out in various European markets soon, serving as the entry-level offering for the brand. The Bantam 350 features fairly refined bodywork and a somewhat streamlined design, clearly differing from the Jawa 42 FJ despite sharing an almost identical chassis setup.
Design highlights include a classic round headlamp, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and a minimalist rear section with sleek lines. It runs on the familiar 334cc liquid-cooled Alpha 2 engine used extensively across the Jawa-Yezdi lineup, delivering roughly 29bhp and 29Nm of torque. A six-speed gearbox pairs nicely with this engine.
The Bantam 350 is unlikely to launch in India, being targeted squarely at lucrative European markets and other global territories overseas instead. Classic Legends reportedly aims to preserve the BSA brand’s premium image quite zealously in the Indian market with considerable care. An official announcement is still keenly awaited and hangs in the balance.
A nod to its heritage, the BSA Bantam was once a lightweight two-stroke legend produced between 1948 and 1971. Now, alongside the reborn Bantam 350, BSA has also taken the wraps off the Scrambler 650 in the UK, built on the robust Gold Star base. The Scrambler 650 is expected soon in India, unlike the Bantam.
